By Briana Luca, Student at Iona College

Bedding:

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Every summer, there are thousands of kids around the country who are biting their nails, making to-do lists and gearing up for their first year of college.

When you move out of your parents’ house and into a dorm room, there is so much that changes. You are living a new life that is completely different from anything you have ever experienced before.

Heading to life in the dorms can be pretty scary, but you will make it through. Here’s a guide to buying everything you need for your freshman year living situation.

You’ll want a bed bug protector, an egg crate mattress pad, XL twin sheets (dorm room beds are a little longer than a regular sized twin), an XL twin comforter, two sleeping pillows and a husband pillow (to lounge around with).

All of these bed essentials can be found for relatively cheap prices on DormCo.com. They have the best deals for students headed off to college. If none of the styles of the comforters and sheets fit your personality, Target usually has great deals on bed sets this time of year.

Toiletries:

The usuals are shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a loofah, washcloths, two or three sets of towels, a shower organizer, shower shoes, a shower caddy (to carry all your items) and a bathrobe to keep cozy.

If you have your own bathroom in your dorm, you’ll definitely need an organizer — whether it’s inside or outside the shower — to keep all your stuff, along with your roommates’ items, organized.

Your regular toiletries can be bought at any local drugstore. For towels, Bed Bath & Beyond has great large, soft towels. Like Target, they usually have deals for back-to-school college students.

Organization:

Items to consider include plastic drawers, storage bins, clothes hangers, bed risers and shoe racks.

The best deals for organizational items can be found in Target. Online deals for these products might be a bit deceiving, so sticking to your local department stores are your best bet.

Decoration:

To spice up your space, you’ll want posters, throw pillows, throw blankets and picture frames.

The best deals for the largest selection of posters can be found on AllPosters.com. They also have some great framed artwork as well. Picture frames, throw pillows and throw blankets are best bought at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. Wal-Mart or other department deal stores would do as well.

Tech:

You’ll definitely want speakers, music players, power strips and a TV.

Your television will probably be the most expensive item you buy for your new college life. Hopefully, you can score a good price at Best Buy or another electronic store. As for speakers and music players, Best Buy, Target or Wal-Mart are your best bets, depending on how much you’d like to spend. Target or Wal-Mart are likely to have better deals.

College is one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life, so don’t break the bank when you’re trying to furnish your new home. Happy shopping!
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